by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

A former Portsmouth Naval Shipyard worker faces up to nearly 20 years in prison for pleading guilty to setting a May 23 fire inside a nuclear submarine that caused damage estimated at $450 million.

Casey James Fury, 24, of Portsmouth, N.H., also admitted setting fire June 16 to the wooden cradle supporting the USS Miami, which has been in dry dock at the Maine shipyard since March for an overhaul. That fire was extinguished before causing damage.

Fury, who was a civilian painter and sandblaster, said he started the fires because he was suffering anxiety and wanted to get out of work, but did not expect such extensive damage.

Under a plea deal, prosecutors and the defense recommended that Fury be sentenced to between 15 years and 19 years for arson, U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty said. Fury has been in jail since his July 23 arrest by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Fury could also be fined $500,000 or ordered to pay full restitution, which Delahanty told reporters "far exceeds the amount any person could hope to repay," Seacoastonline says.